Beech, Paula

Inspection report for early years provision

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503503 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2007 Inspection date Jill Lee Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and their two children, aged five years and two years, in the High Green area of Sheffield. Her husband works with her as a co-childminder.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The downstairs only of the home is used for childminding activities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time, when working alone, and five children when working with her husband. She is currently caring for five children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification in Child Care and Education, Level 3. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has a food hygiene qualification and has recently undertaken a training course relating to the Foundation Stage curriculum.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good variety of physical activities and outings in the fresh air, which contribute to keeping them fit and well. They are able to access the outdoor environment freely and appropriate arrangements are made to ensure sufficient shade in hot weather. They enjoy physical play activities most days, as they use a wide range of play equipment in the garden. They enjoy playing on the swings and trampoline. They play ball and enjoy chasing games. Toddlers have sturdy push-along toys to help their developing mobility. They routinely visit local toddler groups and soft play centres, where they are able to develop their large physical skills. The childminder brings large physical equipment indoors during bad weather, to ensure children have opportunity for physical activity at all times. They enjoy dancing and using the exercise mat.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infection by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. Their understanding of the importance of good hygiene is promoted in everyday routines. For example, they have individual towels to dry their hands. They learn to clean their teeth after meals. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication protect children effectively, although systems to record consent for named medication are not sufficiently clear.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met by healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder negotiates arrangements for meals and drinks very carefully and explains to parents how she promotes healthy eating. For example, she strongly discourages too many sweet foods and provides low sugar drinks. She talks with children about healthy choices and encourages them to try new foods. Meals are presented attractively and always include colourful fruit and vegetables. Children sometimes help to prepare food, for instance, buttering bread for sandwiches. They are able to access drinks independently. Everyone sits together at the big table at meal times, which are relaxed and sociable. Children are encouraged to learn to feed themselves independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and very child friendly home, as the childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards and actively encourage independence. She carefully considers the age range present when planning different activities and assesses risks effectively to promote children's safety and enjoyment. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use the whole environment freely and can visit the toilet independently. Their awareness of risk and safety is raised in everyday activities. They learn to stay beside the childminder when they are out walking, to hold the pushchair and stop at the kerb when crossing the road together. She talks with children all the time about the dangers of busy roads. The childminder has a well considered plan for emergency evacuation, which she practises regularly with children. Children's risk of accidents is minimised by careful supervision and consistently reinforced safety rules. They learn to manage activities safely, for example, they remind each other not to put threading string around their necks. They help to tidy away toys when they have finished, so the playroom is safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. Children are very confident to express their fears and dislikes. The childminder's willingness to discuss any concerns with parents ensures that the welfare of children in her care is given priority. She has a clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and records any concerns appropriately. She has not attended any recent training to update her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is not fully familiar with the most recent child protection guidance or the procedures and contact details of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy many interesting activities using a wide range of resources, which support and challenge their development. They develop confidence, as the childminder talks to them and shows interest in what they are doing. She observes children's play carefully, finding out what they enjoy and can do, and plans experiences around their interests, to extend their learning. She encourages children to be fully involved in sharing their ideas for activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become engrossed in activities that interest them and their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing. They are fascinated by the bubble machine, chasing the bubbles as they blow into the wind. They become engrossed in scooping and pouring sand and making sand pies. They have planted beans and onions and look forward to eating them for lunch when they grow. All the children love craft activities and the childminder suggests different idea according to the season, for example, they have made Easter baskets. They get crayons and paper independently from the cupboard and their pictures are displayed for everyone to enjoy. Children love reading stories; they sit quietly together with the childminder on the big cushion with their favourite books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are sensitively supported by the childminder and develop a strong sense of self-esteem. They begin to understand right and wrong, for example, they know it is important to share and for everyone to have a turn to blow bubbles. The childminder is responsive to individual needs and continuously looks for ways to enrich children's experiences. She incorporates the 'Birth to three matters' framework actively into her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents. She encourages them to spend time with her as they settle their child, helping children to feel a sense of belonging. She talks with parents about her childcare practice and has an information folder outlining her qualifications and giving details of her policies. She is beginning to develop photographic scrapbooks of children's activities to help children recall, and share with their parents, experiences they have enjoyed together. Lots of photographs of activities are displayed on the playroom walls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's relationships with the childminder are warm and trusting. Daily routines are relaxed and child-led. Children make their own suggestions about activities they would like to do and are able to access resources independently. They are encouraged to make their own decisions and learn to manage their own needs, for example, when they request the dressing up clothes. They confidently let the childminder know what they are going to do next. She knows them well and responds supportively to their plans.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children learn to share and cooperate as they play. They are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder praises them and gives lots of warm encouragement. This reinforces good behaviour, encouraging children to be kind and helpful to each other. The childminder plans activities to enable everyone to be actively involved. Children's awareness of their local community is raised well by regular outings to local groups and parks. The childminder has a good range of resources, which reflect diversity, and uses them well to promote children's awareness of difference.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed an effective partnership with parents. Relationships are relaxed and comfortable. The contracts and written consents agreed with parents formally reflect the co-childminding arrangement. Information about children's experiences is shared verbally and by use of a daily diary. Parents are clearly advised how to raise any concerns. The childminder has a written complaints policy, which is shared with parents. It refers to the role of the regulator but the contact details are not up-to-date. The childminder is not fully familiar with current guidance regarding the management of complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's individual needs are supported by flexible and child-led planning, within a well organised and safe environment. The childminder and her husband deploy themselves well to enable children to use the whole environment, both indoors and out, with safety. She accesses training and development opportunities, which help her to plan enjoyable experiences for children. She evaluates her own practice appropriately.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of most required policies and procedures. Required documentation is well organised and mostly readily available for inspection. The registration certificate is shown to parents, but is not displayed clearly as required. Contracts and written consents agreed with parents fully reflect the co-childminding arrangement. The childminder clearly understands requirements with regard to reaching agreements with parents, so that their wishes are clearly understood. She shares information daily with parents about children's activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care. Comprehensive written policies support her professional practice, so that children's welfare is fully safeguarded.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain information about notifiable illnesses for reference and to review and extend the range of resources which reflect culture, gender and disability as new toys, books and play materials are purchased.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is well organised and ensures that most documentation is readily available for inspection. However, she was unable to locate the information about notifiable illnesses, which she has obtained from the health visitor. She has, so far, not included this in the information shared with parents. She talks fully with parents about the importance of sharing health information and ensures they understand that sick children cannot be cared for. This helps to ensure that children are protected from infection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has obtained a varied range of resources, which reflect people from other cultures and with disabilities. These include play people, jigsaws and books. She also occasionally uses the library to extend the range of books available. This supports planning of a variety of activities, which help to promote children's awareness of difference and diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • increase awareness of the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and ensure appropriate contact details are available • improve knowledge and develop systems for recording of complaints, in line with regulations

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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